LIHU‘E — The defendant in a re-indicted 2010 case involving 16 animal cruelty charges missed a jury trial hearing Monday in 5th Circuit Court. Lara Butler-Brady’s defense attorney, Craig De Costa, was left standing alone in front of Judge Trudy
LIHU‘E — The defendant in a re-indicted 2010 case involving 16 animal cruelty charges missed a jury trial hearing Monday in 5th Circuit Court.
Lara Butler-Brady’s defense attorney, Craig De Costa, was left standing alone in front of Judge Trudy Senda, who presided in place of Chief Judge Randal Valenciano. The court issued a bench warrant for the defendant and ordered $2,500 bail.
Special Deputy Attorney General Sheri Lawson represented the state. The Attorney General’s office took the case after Valenciano granted Butler-Brady’s motion to dismiss the case on May 15, 2012, ruling the state had violated her right to a speedy and public trial.
Valenciano recused the Kauai County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney on March 8, 2012 for lack of transparency. A new indictment was filed by the Attorney General’s office the following June.
The new trial date of Oct. 11, 2012 was continued to Feb. 25, and again to June 10 to allow the defense time to submit motions to the court. A May 31 pretrial conference was held with Judge Senda.
Butler-Brady, the former proprietor of a 165-acre Keapana Horsemanship riding stable in Hanama‘ulu, faces 16 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. She faces the possibility of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
The Kaua‘i Humane Society conducted an investigation and declared the horses emaciated, which led to the 2010 indictment. The horses remain in protective custody at the KHS shelter in Puhi and on private property.
De Costa did not comment on the non-appearance of the defendant. Motions yet to be heard regard voluntariness and admissibility of statements, and alleged information regarding former Humane Society staff members.
